Cyclist Maria Micklethwaite killed in collision with car near Wakefield

Incident date:

Fri, 13 Jan 2012

The police have announced that Maria Micklethwaite, 36, was killed in collision with a Ford Focus while cycling on Slack Lane, in South Hiendley, near Wakefield, at around 3.25pm on Friday, 13th January 2012.

There has been no word as to whether the driver has been arrested or charged.

UPDATE 23/01/13

The driver who killed Maria has appeared in Leeds Crown Court, where he denied causing death by careless driving.

Jeffrey Walton, 51, told a court yesterday (Jan 22) how he shielded his eyes from bright sunlight shortly before turning on to Church Lane and believed his path to be clear.

Sophie Drake, prosecuting, said that because of the weather conditions (the weather was bright and dry but significantly the sun was sitting very low in the sky and was very bright) Walton should have slowed down or stopped his vehicle.

The jury heard Walton stopped immediately after the collision. He tried to dial 999 from his mobile phone but couldn’t because his hands were shaking. A witness and passers-by stopped to help but Mrs Micklethwaite died from her injuries.

Giving evidence, Walton told the court he had used his arm to shield the sun from his eyes for around three seconds before the collision. He said: “I looked up the road and I couldn’t see anything coming.”

Sophie Drake, speaking for the prosecution, said because of the weather conditions Walton should have slowed down or stopped his vehicle.